Carton and closure therefor



G. W. SMITH CARTON AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Jul 28, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1949 R. y M m m W A e m E e G V. B 5 z E m 4 m g z I/ 1/15 G. W. SMITH CARTON AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Jl lly 28, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1949 George W. 5mith INVEN TOR.

' A b/ r ATTORNEY Patented J y 8, .2

ITED STATES PTENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cartons and closures therefor.

Most cartons now in common use are formed with extended flaps to provide for closure of the carton, at least one of which flaps must be of a length greater than the others to provide for reclosure of the carton in the usual or customary manner. Or, the flaps must be provided with complicated catch means, such as ears, or tongue and slot fasteners, for closing or reclosing the carton.

The fabrication of these types of cartons creates a very considerable amount of waste, since it is necessary to out out or cut off substantial portions of material to form the overlapping extended flaps or the catch members. Also, the operation of stripping or knocking out the cut out or cut off portions of material is one of the most expensive steps in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, cartons provided with an infoldable flap for closing the carton generally are unsubstantial and flimsy.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved carton having a simplified closure.

An important object of the invention is to provide a carton which may be formed from a rectangular blank of material without waste of material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carton of the character described which may be manufactured without the formation of cut out or cut oif portions, whereby waste of material and labor otherwise required in stripping or knocking out the cut out or cut off portions is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton which may be set up into a rigid carton without gluing the bottom or top closures.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved closure for the ends of a carton which may be readily and securely locked to more rigidly maintain the carton in shape; and which may be easily opened and reclosed.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved carton and closure wherein the closure may be folded and secured in closed position, and when in such position provide a rigid supported wall of the carton.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton and closure of the character described wherein the carton is formed with an integral partition or divider.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a ca t having an end r bottom closure providing an integral partition or divider wherein flaps forming the divider or partition lock the closure in closed position and provide supports for the closure wall to strengthen the carton and make it more rigid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton of the character described wherein the closure and partition or divider are formed by folding flaps into position to form a substantial supported bottom or end with an integral divider or partition, all without gluing or the use of ear or tongue and slot locks.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will readily be apparent from the reading of the following description of devices constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a carton blank, perforated and scored for fabrication into a carton and closure embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is an end view of the carton blank with the edges glued together, and preparatory to folding into a carton.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a partly completed carton, illustrating the manner in which the closure flaps are folded,

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the top and bottom closures securely fastened in closed position,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of carton blank incorporating integral divider flaps,

Figure 6 is an end view of a partially completed carton, illustrating the manner in which the 010- sure and divider flaps are folded,

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view further illustrating the manner in which the closure and divider flaps are folded, and

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a completed closure and divider.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a carton blank cut from a sheet of material, preferably cardboard or the like, perforated and scored and ready for gluing. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the carton blank is scored to provide a front body wall panel ll, an adjacent side body wall panel l2, a back body wall panel i3 substantially identical in size with the front body wall, a second side body wall panel I4 adjacent the back body wall and substantially identical in size to the first mentioned side body wall l2, and a glue flap I5. The various panels are outlined by vertical imperforate scored lines l6 which provide for ready folding of the carton blank into the rectangular form shown in Figure 2, whereby the glue flap may be secured by cementing, gluing, or otherwise to the inner surface of the front body panel I l to form a knockdown carton.

Observing Figure 1, it will be seen that the carton blank is substantially rectangular in form, and that an upper end closure portion l1 and a lower end closure portion 18 are formed integral with the body wall panels and the glue flap. An upper transverse imperforate scored fold line It defines the upper end closure portion and a lower transverse imperforate scored fold line 20 defines the lower end closure portion. The vertical scored lines l5 are continued across both the up per and the lower end closure portions to divide the end closure portions into small sections 2| and large sections 23, whereby such portions may also be folded along said scored lines It into substantially rectangular shape, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, the carton blank, in knock-down form, may be folded substantially flat in the customary manner. It is preferable that the width of the end closure portions be equal to or slightly greater than one-half the width of the side body walls, fOr reasons which will be hereinafter pointed out.

In each of the small sections 2! of the end closure portions, defined by the scored lines ['5 and lying adjacent the side body Walls I2 and M, there are provided imperforate angular scored fold lines 22 which extend at angles of approximately forty-five degrees with the vertical scored lines 16 and transverse scored fold lines l9 and 26 from the point of intersection of such lines. It will be seen, therefore, that the angular fold lines 22, in each small section 2|, form a large triangle having its base on the lines l9 or 28 and its apex at the edge of the end closure portion.

The end closure portions are adapted to be folded along the lines [9 and 2D, in the manner illustrated in Figure 3, so that the large sections 23 of the end portions, coextensive with the front and back body walls, are turned toward each other to form end closures for the carton. Since their width is equal to or slightly greater than one-half the width of the side body walls, it is readily apparent that the edges of such large sections 23 will abut or slightly overlap each other to provide a complete closure for the ends of the carton. With the large sections so folded, the small sections are folded outwardly and along the fold lines 22' into triangular flaps 24 which are adapted to be further folded to lie contiguous to the exterior of the side body walls, as shown in Figure 4.

For holding the triangular flaps 24 folded against the side body walls, slits 25 are formed in the side body walls l2 and M for receiving the pointed ends of such triangular flaps. A slit is formed for each triangular flap, and with the tips of the flaps engaged in the slits, as shown in Figured, the large sections 23 are securely held or locked in closing position against the ends of the side body walls to complete the carton. The slits 25 may be formed in any suitable configuration, such as a simple transverse slit or a T-shaped slit, but it is preferred that the slits be of substantially Y-shaped configuration.

Each Y-shaped slit 25 has a longitudinal portion 2 6 which is so positioned as to extend beyond the apex of the triangular flap when said flap is folded inwardly against the side body wall, a transverse portion 21 which is positioned between the apex and base of the flap when said flap is so folded, and angularly extending arms 28 which are formed to extend from the ends of the transverse portion along the sides of the triangular flap toward the base of said flap. Thus, when the tip of the flap is pressed inwardly against the side body wall at the slit, said tip will readily pass through the longitudinal portion of the slit between the portions of the side body wall lying adjacent said slit, and will be confined within said slit by the portions of said wall adjoining the transverse portion and longitudinal portions of the slit. The angular arm portions 23 of the slit permit the body wall to give slightly to facilitate the entrance of the tip of the flap into the slit, and also serve to maintain said flap in a stationary position to make the carton more rigid. Manifestly, the longitudinal portion 25 of the slits may be omitted, if desired.

The upper and lower end closure portions of the carton blank are substantially identical and are each closed and folded in the same manner, whereby a substantial, rigid carton is readily formed without gluing or cementing either end.

The carton may be readily opened by lifting the tip of the triangular flaps from within the slits and unfolding the end closure portions. Furthermore, the carton may be readily reclosed by again folding the end closure sections and pressing the tips of the triangular flaps into the slits in the manner already described.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a carton has been provided which may be formed from a rectangular blank without the necessity of cutting off or cutting out portions thereof to form closure flaps, locks for the closure flaps and the like, whereby wastage of material is eliminated and cost of manufacture is reduced. It will further be seen that such carton may be readily as sembled or erected and secured or locked in rectangular shape without gluing or cementing either end closure. Since the large sections 23 of the end closure portions are held tightly stretched and supported between the ends of the side body walls, arigid and relatively strong container or carton is provided. Also, the carton is simple to manufacture and erect, and may be readily opened and reclosed. It has been calculated that a saving of approximately ten percent of .material is effected in this carton by eliminating out out or cut off portions required by previous conventional cartons. Since no stripping of cut out or cut off portions is necessary, cost of manufacture is reduced. The simple end closures also save time and effort in erecting or setting up the cartons for use.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 through 8 of the drawings, wherein there is provided an integral longitudinal divider for the end closure. Such a divider may be used, among others, for the purpose of spacing bottles or other items in the carton. V

The carton blank 30 of the modified form is substantially the same as that of the form first described, having a front body wall panel 3|, an adjacent side body wall panel 32, a back body wall panel 33, a second side body wall panel-34, and a glue flap 35, all defined by vertical imperforate scored lines 36. The carton blank is also formed with end closure portions 37 defined by transverse imperforate scored fold lines 38 and having small sections 4| and large sections 43 outlined by the vertical scored lines 36. Angular imperforate scored fold lines 42 extend at angles of approximately forty-five degrees with the vertical lines 36 and the transverse fold lines 38 to form a large triangle in each of the small sections 4!. Said triangle has its base on the transverse fold line and its apex at the edge of the end closure portion, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The foregoing elements are manifestly substantially identical in shape and arrangement to the corresponding elements of the first form.

Divider flaps 45, which are substantially identical in size and shape to the large sections 43 of the end closure portions, project from the edges of said large sections and are defined therefrom by transverse imperforate fold lines 45, whereby the divider flaps may be folded to lie contiguous to and coextensive with the large sections of the end closure portions of the carton.

Obviously, when the carton blank is folded along the vertical scored lines 35, the glue flap 35 may be secured to the inner surface of the front body panel 3! by cementing, gluing, or otherwise, to provide a rectangular shaped knock-down carton. The carton may then be folded substantially flat in the customary manner until used, if desired, to conserve space.

It is necessary that the width of the end closure portions 31 of this form of the invention be equal to one-half the width of the side body wall panels, for reasons which will be hereinafter explained.

In assembling or erecting the carton for use, the divider fiaps 45 are folded inwardly along the divider fold lines 46 until such flaps lie fiat against the inner surfaces of the large sections 43 of the end closure portions. The small sections 4! of the end closure are then folded inwardly and downwardly, in the manner illustrated in Figure 6, along the angular fold lines 42 and the transverse line 38. The large sections are thus drawn and folded inwardly toward each other until their free edges abut. Since the width of each of the two large sections is equal to one-half the width 'of the side body wall, it is obvious that as said sections are turned inwardly through ninety degrees their free edges will abut in the manner shown in Figures 7 and 8 to form an end closure for the carton.

The triangular flaps 44 formed by folding the small end closure sections 4i along the lines 42 are then further folded inwardly and downwardly until said triangular flaps lie parallel and contiguous to the inner surface of the side body walls. through ninety degrees to the position shown in Figures 7 and 8 to maintain the triangular flaps against the side body walls. In this position, the divider flaps lie in a plane substantiall parallel to the front and back body walls and centrally therebetween and extend at substantially right angles with the large end closure sections 43 forming the end of the carton. Since the length of the divider flaps is substantially the same as the width of the front and back body wall panels, it is obvious that the triangular fiaps are securely confined between the ends of the divider flaps and the side body walls and, also, that the divider flaps are rather firmly held in dividing position.

While only one end of the carton has been illustrated in the drawings, it is obvious that the other end may be identical to that shown. Or, if desired, the other end of the carton may be closed by end closure means of the character set forth in the form first described, or other suitable closure means may be used, or such end may be left open.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a carton has been provided which may readily be The divider flaps 45 are then unfolded D set up into rigid rectangular form and securely locked or held in such form without gluing cementing or otherwise permanently securing the end closures in closed position. It will further be seen that the carton is provided with inter grally formed dividers or partitions which are so arranged as to co-act with the end closure of the carton to securely hold or look such end closure in closed position. Also, the divider flaps serve to strengthen and support the end closure Wall since they are so positioned that they act' as a beam to impart rigidity to the abutting edges of' The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1

1. A carton formed of a rectangular blank and including, enclosing side body walls, end closure sections foldably connected with adjacent carton side body walls and with the adjacent end closure sections and adapted to be folded to close the end of the carton, fold creases formed in two opposite end closure sections providing for folding said sections to form triangular looking flaps adapted to be folded against the adjacent side body Walls, and receiving means on said adjacent side walls for receiving the apexial end of the triangular flaps for releasably holding said fiaps against such side body walls, said receiving means comprising substantially Y-shaped slots provided in said adjacent side body walls, each of said slots having a longitudinal end portion and divergent arm portions extending from sairl longitudinal end portion toward the triangular flap and disposed to receive the apexial tip end of the triangular flap, said tip end of the flap extending longitudinally beyond the divergent arms and the longitudinal end portion of the slot extending longitudinally beyond the apexial tip end of said flap, said apexial ends of the triangular flaps being insertable through said longitudinal end portions of said slots by pressing said apexial tip ends through said longitudinal end portions without bending said flaps, the portions of said body walls adjacent the longitudinal end portions flexing to permit entry of the apexial tip ends of the triangular flaps and engaging said tips to restrain the tips thereunder and in the divergent arm portions of the Y- shaped slots.

2. A carton formed of a rectangular blank and including, enclosing side body walls, end closure sections foldably connected with adjacent carton side body walls and with adjacent end closure sections and adapted to be folded to close the end of the carton, one pair of opposite end closure sections having overlapping longitudinal portions when folded to close the end of the carton, fold creases formed in another pair of opposite end closure sections providing for folding said sections to form triangular locking flaps adapted to be folded against the adjacent side body walls,

7, and receiving means on said adjacent side walls for receiving the apexial end of the triangular flaps for releasably holding said flaps against such side body walls, said receiving means comprising substantially Y-shaped slots provided in said adjacent side body walls, each of said slots having a longitudinal end portion and divergent arm portions extending from said longitudinal end portion toward the triangular flap and disposed to receive the apexial tip end of the triangular flap, said tip end of the flap extending longitudinally beyond the divergent arms and the longitudinal end portion of the slot extending longitudinally beyond the apexial tip end of said flap, said apexial ends of the triangular flaps being insertable through said longitudinal end portions of said slots by pressing said apexial tip ends through said longitudinal end portions without bending said flaps, the portions of said body walls adjacent the longitudinal end portions flexing to permit entry of the apexial tip ends of the triangular flaps and engaging said tips to restrain the tips thereunder and in the divergent arm portions of the Y-shaped slots.

GEORGE W. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 681,322 Houghland Aug. 27, 1901 915,579 Ferres Mar. 16, 1909 916,544 Ferres Mar. 30,1909 1,795,293 Boeye Mar. 10, 1931 1,994,923 Ross Mar. 19, 1935 2,360,931 Brockman Oct. 24, 1944 2,395,663 Howard Feb. 26, 1946 2,472,985 Pardee June 14, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 190,508 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1922 55,217 Denmark Sept. 12, 1938 

